Help Please PSF Leak

[DocB]

Fellas,
I could really use some help here with a big power steering fluid leak.
Got a 1000# of food and party supplies in the bed for my Mom's Memorial Gathering and sprung a leak. Luckily it was just as I was pulling out of the driveway.
Wrestled it back in front of the house.
Pouring fluid out from under the driver's side, just inside the fender well.
No power steering or brakes.

2002 F350 PSD.

Quick Questions:
Short version of our PS and brake system, how are they hooked up together?
What do I look for to find the leak?

Timely responses, help and advice greatly appreciated.

[Dave]

Most likely a blown hose. Check the hoses coming out of the PS pump

[NCHornet]

The two are hooked together through the brake booster. When you lost pressure in the PS system it affected the brakes. Hope you know the PS takes ATF fluid, and I would use synthetic here. I agree it is probably a blown hose, easy fix.

NCH

[DocB]

Thanks fellas for pointing me in the right direction.

Found the leak.
Metal tubing rusted thru where it connects to the reservoir.
Not far behind is the metal tubing end where it connects to the steering gearbox.
Just ordered all the hoses for replacement from the stealership. Ouch.
And it will take 2-3 days.
Any other ideas for future parts ordering for proprietary parts?

Damn road salt. It should be outlawed.

[NCHornet]

I would have gone to a local hydraulics shop and have them make me some quality hoses, as you found out the metal in the Ford lines don't hold up to road salt. You may want to coat the metal parts in KBS Coating if you want them to last longer.

NCH

[DocB]

NCHornet,
Just to clarify, Amsoil ATF would be OK in the PS system?

Just fill it into the PS add tube?

Can air get into the brake system from this situation and need to be bled?

TIA.

[NCHornet]

No air won't get into the brake system. Yes Amsoil is fine, but I wouldn't bother with that. You can use any synthetic ATF, Mercon V is ok in the PS and transfer case just not in the trans. You want to pull the return line from the brake booster and run it into a bucket, have someone start the truck and saw the wheel from side to side, have another person stand by and keep the resivour full, it will take about 3 quarts (IIRC) to get all the fluid pumped through. The synthetic will make a big difference in the winter time and at a idle. PM me with any ?

NCH